Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center's Rehabilitation Services Patients Bring Spirit and Hope to Holiday Run/Walk

POMONA, Calif. (January 6, 2017) – In December, six patients from Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center’s (PVHMC) Charles M. Magistro Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Services participated in the Holiday 5K, Half Marathon and Penguin Waddle events. The participants, founding members of PVHMC’s first “I Can Do It” team, hope to show physical therapy and rehabilitation patients, regardless of their medical conditions, that achieving recovery is not impossible with the help of therapists, and that they can be active again.

Ranging in age from two to seventy-two, each of the six participants are part of PVHMC’s Rehabilitation Services programs, which include the Milestones Center for Child Development, cardiac rehabilitation, orthopedic rehabilitation, back and neck therapy, and occupational therapy. Patients were invited to participate by Rehabilitation Services therapists, who provided expert training tips, advice and encouragement to help them prepare for race day.

“I joined this team to help spread the word and encourage others to be active and be well,” said Jon Blickenstaff, 72, former Mayor of La Verne. “I want to show people that physical therapy can help you stay off medication while restoring your mobility and eliminating pain – it can help you get back to a normal life.”

After receiving a diagnosis of bilateral drop-feet, Jon, was treated in Rehabilitation Services’ orthopedics program. He now participates in PVHMC’s Wellness & Aftercare programs, which allows patients to be guided through structured recovery from a specific injury, disease or illness.

“Almost a year ago I could barely walk,” added Jon. “And now my hard work has finally paid off and I’ve just completed a 5K.”

Five additional PVHMC patients joined Jon in the annual holiday run/walk events, including:

• Keith Beeman, 58, a resident of Apple Valley, is part of the cardiac rehabilitation program. He had the initial goal of completing the 5K, but crossed the finish line after finishing the entire half marathon.
• Marvin Pitts, 63, a cardiac rehabilitation patient from Pomona completed his first 5K.
• John Hayes, a Chino Hills resident who completed physical therapy for an inflamed Achilles tendon, completed the half marathon, and is training for more half and full marathons this year.
• Zuhayry Placentia, two years old, is undergoing physical, occupational and speech and language therapy at PVHMC’s Milestones Center for Child Development, completed a 100 ft. run/walk with her mother, Adalit Ramos, of Montclair.
• Billie Pate, 66, an occupational therapy patient from Upland, completed the 5K. She is now training for triathlons.

The Holiday Half Marathon, 5K & Kid’s Run is held each year at the Fairplex in Pomona and is produced by Run Racing, LLC. Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center is a Gold Charity Partner; proceeds from fundraising directly benefit Rehabilitation Services' Milestones Center for Child Development and the Sports Medicine Center at PVHMC. For more information, visit www.runholidayhalf.com.

For more information about PVHMC’s Rehabilitation Services programs, visit www.pvhmc.org/#About_Rehabilitation_Services.

Pictured:

PVHMC’s “I Can Do It” Participants and members of the Rehabilitation Services Team (from left to right): Joseph Baumgaertner, Director of Rehabilitation Services, with Keith Beeman; Donald Kuy, Physical Therapist, with John Hayes; Jon Blickenstaff with Jeff Ijadi, MD, Sports Medicine Physician; Marines honoring Zuhayry Plascencia with her finish line medal; Marvin Pitts with Rick Rossman, Associate Director of Rehabilitation Services; and Billie Pate with Rick Rossman and Dr. Ijadi.

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About Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center

About Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center is a 437-bed, acute care, nationally accredited not-for-profit medical center serving eastern Los Angeles and western San Bernardino counties. In 2015, PVHMC achieved The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for advanced certification in inpatient diabetes care, palliative care, sepsis and total joint replacement. In 2014, PVHMC was recognized by Healthgrades as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery, Coronary Interventions and Cardiac Care, and was announced as one of only four hospitals in California to achieve Excellence Awards in Cardiac Surgery, Coronary Interventions and Cardiac Care and three Top 100 designations listed previously. PVHMC is also a recipient of the prestigious Baby- Friendly designation. For more information, visit: www.pvhmc.org.